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Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • David Simpson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    David Simpson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Simpson on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in China.

    Mr Hugo Swire

    We do have concerns about restrictions to civil and political freedoms in China, particularly around ethnic minority rights; the death penalty; and freedom of expression, association and assembly.

    The climate for human rights defenders and civil society is very difficult, and security in areas with ethnic minorities remains tight.

    Ministers regularly raise human rights issues with Chinese counterparts, and we highlight our concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what comparative assessment he has made of the rates of mental ill health caused by (a) working long hours and (b) being unemployed.

    Norman Lamb

    Numerous studies, including the Marmot Review into health inequalities in England (published in 2010) draw attention to the impacts of unemployment, and particularly long-term unemployment, on mental health.

    Research also demonstrates that work related stress and mental health problems often go together. Work related stress may trigger an existing mental health problem that the person may otherwise have successfully managed.

    However, common mental health problems and stress can exist independently. For example, people can have work related stress leading to physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, without experiencing anxiety and depression. They can also have anxiety and depression that is unrelated to stress.

    Gainful employment promotes mental well-being. Unfortunately, the workplace can also be the source of nonproductive stress leading to physical and mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours and suicide.

    A number of studies demonstrate an association between the areas of England worst affected during the recent financial crisis and increased suicide rates. Between 2008 and 2010, there were approximately 800 more suicides among men and 155 more among women than would have been expected based on historical trends. This was supported by a recent review of the international impact of the global economic crisis. A rise in poor health status associated with the recession has also been found not only for the unemployed, but also among people who remain employed.

    People come into contact with the welfare system at a time when they may be vulnerable because of unemployment and its associated consequences. The Department for Work and Pensions provides guidance and training for staff to help them identify and support people who are vulnerable, including those who may be at risk of suicide or self-harm.

  • Sheila Gilmore – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Sheila Gilmore – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sheila Gilmore on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what visits each of the Ministers in his Department have made since January 2013; and what the purpose of each such visit was.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    Details of United Kingdom-based visits undertaken by my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and his ministerial team since January 2013; and what the purpose of each such visit was have been placed in the Library.

    The purpose of all these visits was to meet staff and patients and learn more about the service except where denoted with an asterisk.

    Details of Ministers’ visits overseas are published quarterly and can be found at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications

  • Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Seabeck on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many parliamentary questions tabled to her Department in the last parliamentary Session did not receive a substantive answer by the time of the 2014 prorogation; and when each such question was first tabled.

    Karen Bradley

    Seven questions did not receive a substantive reply by the time of prorogation 2014.

    The tabling date for these questions, are listed below:

    09 April – 2014

    08 May – 2014

    26 March – 2014

    24 March – 2014

    02 May – 2014

    02 May – 2014

    09 May – 2014

  • Greg Mulholland – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Greg Mulholland – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Mulholland on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If she will ensure that all asylum interviews are routinely audio and video recorded.

    Karen Bradley

    The Home Office is required to allow claimants, with some exceptions, to have their asylum interviews electronically recorded on request. The request to record the interview is at the discretion of the claimant. The invitation to interview letter advises eligible claimants to inform the asylum office if they wish the interview to be recorded, and to provide a minimum of 24 hours notice of their request to avoid a delay on the day. For those in detention, at least three days notice must be provided. We recognise that digitally recording asylum interviews has the potential to bring benefits to both asylum seekers and to the Home Office and we are currently exploring this as an option for the future.

  • Keith Vaz – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Keith Vaz – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many meetings she has had with world leaders to discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen since 1 January 2013.

    Mr Alan Duncan

    Tackling the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where we are one of the largest humanitarian donors, is a priority for DFID. As such, DFID ministers have played a leading role in galvanising international efforts and encouraging others to do more. This has involved regular discussions with senior global leaders both in the specifically convened Friends of Yemen, but also during regular meetings with partners to discuss humanitarian issues.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, in which 100 wards in which constituency in the UK turnout for voting at the polling station was lowest at the 2010 general election.

    Mr Gary Streeter

    The Electoral Commission does not hold the data requested at ward level. The Commission collects electoral data at each set of polls down to the level of individual contests, which means that it only holds ward level data for local elections.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the availability of passenger information data on board trains.

    Stephen Hammond

    Since 1998, all new trains have been fitted with audio-visual Passenger Information Systems (PIS). Many older trains have also been retrofitted with this equipment while those that have not do at least have tannoy systems. The law requires all trains to have audio-visual PIS by 2020 and the industry’s ongoing work to meet this has been further facilitated by recent franchise decisions.

  • Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Roger Godsiff – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on whether jobseekers whose jobseeker’s allowance claim is cancelled because they experience three periods of illness in one year must be informed of this by jobcentre staff.

    Esther McVey

    Legislation prescribes the circumstances where a person can remain on Jobseeker’s Allowance where they suffer a period of sickness. Where someone declares a period of sickness that falls outside these circumstances, they are informed of their options, e.g. claiming Employment Support Allowance and how to re-claim Jobseeker’s Allowance as and when appropriate. Once a claim to JSA is terminated, the claimant receives a formal notification to this effect.

  • Mark Durkan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    Mark Durkan – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for International Development

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Durkan on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the scale of the threat of rape faced by women in South Sudan; and what steps her Department plans to take to reduce such threats.

    Lynne Featherstone

    Sexual violence has been widespread during the conflict. We have pressed the Government and Opposition to act to prevent sexual violence. Our humanitarian programmes help protect vulnerable women and girls, and provide support for case management for the victims of sexual and gender based violence.